Playdough
Every Tuesday morning, two of my children spend time at their Nana’s house doing school work. At the moment we rotate it, so that one week it’s the older two (10 and 8 year old) and the next it’s the younger two (4 and 6 year old). The 1 year old doesn’t get a turn just yet.
This morning it was just the younger ones at home, so at their request, I made playdough (something I haven’t gotten around to much in previous years!) I never cease to be amazed at how long my kids can spend just playing with playdough! Pretty much since 11am they have been at it, and it’s now just about 3pm. Maybe it’s because we don’t do it that often.
Anyway, once the older two came home, they joined in. Who knew that a 10 and 8 year old could be just as easily entertained! Even little Isabella is having a go, seated in her high chair.
It seems to involve a lot of imagination and pretend play – for example they make pretend cupcakes and ‘sell’ them to each other. I love it when something so simple can be turned into several hours worth of amusement thanks to their imagination!
We’ve always kept screen time to a bare minimum (perhaps one movie a week and the occasional online maths game), which I guess probably helps in this respect. It seems to be a commonly accepted truth that less screen time lends itself to more imaginative play, and an improved ability to amuse oneself. In our experience, this seems to be true, but we are just one family.
Anyway, I’m a big fan of kids making their own fun! In case anyone’s interested, here is the playdough recipe I use (given to me by a friend):
Playdough
- 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
- Food colouring (optional)
- Few drops of glycerine (optional – adds shine)
- Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
- Add the boiling water slowly
- Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combine dough
- Add the food colouring and glycerine (both optional)
- Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!
- If it remains a little sticky, add a touch more flour until just right
Playdough can be stored in an air tight container for at least 6 months – if humid keep in the fridge.
